Norfolk mayor announces MacArthur developer, plans for Military Circle library and fitness center
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander announced updates to two long-planned redevelopment projects Friday, though several details about the projects still remain unclear.
A new library and fitness center is planned for the former Military Circle mall site, and Alexander announced a new lead developer for a mixed-use project at MacArthur Center.
Alexander made the announcements at the annual State of the City event Friday in downtown Norfolk.
The Military Circle facility, called the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center at Military, is being designed by the Fairfax office of Lose Design, Alexander said. He said the facility would feature a state-of-the-art library with the latest technology and services to support learning, research and community involvement.
'This facility will serve as an anchor for the planned mixed-use development at the site of the former Military Circle mall,' Alexander said.
He said community and stakeholder engagement for the project would begin immediately.
It's unclear who would finance the project or if the facility would include ice rink facilities, as suggested by a sports tourism consultant hired by the city last year. A city spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions following the address.
The city has been attempting to redevelop the former mall site for years. The Norfolk Economic Development Authority purchased most of the property in 2020 and issued a request for development proposals. After announcing three finalists, the City Council began negotiations with a group led by Pharrell Williams before shelving the proposal in late 2023.
Alexander also said Hg80 Real Estate had been chosen as lead developer for a mixed-used project at MacArthur Center first announced at the 2024 State of the City address.
He said Hg80 had over two decades of experience in retail and mixed-use developments, including Bethesda Row in Bethesda, Maryland and Pike and Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland.
The planned development as presented by Alexander last year includes a 400-room military-themed hotel, more than 172,000 square feet of retail space and a pedestrian street promenade.
In November, Norfolk Economic Development Director Sean Washington said the city had met with several developers about the project.
For both sites, some City Council members, including Alexander and Tommy Smigiel, have said they are against using significant public money to fund the redevelopment.
MacArthur Center, like many malls in the country, has been declining in value and losing major retailers for years. Norfolk spent $18 million to buy most of the mall last year and another $4.1 million to buy out Dillard's remaining lease.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
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